Aircraft sink with integrated waste disposal function

ABSTRACT

A sink system includes a sink and a storage area receiving and storing matter from the sink. The storage area receives air from the bypass line during a flush. Also, matter from the storage area and sink is vacuumed through a common line during the flush. A valve limits an amount of air supplied by the bypass line such that increased suction is applied to the sink through the common line. The valve may be manually operated or operated by a controller.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to sink systems, and more particularly to a sink system in an aircraft environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In commercial aviation, it is necessary to dispose of unwanted fluids and solids. Currently, most commercial aircraft are equipped with galley and lavatory sinks; however, these sinks are primarily intended for the disposal of fluid waste only as they are connected to small diameter drain lines and drain primarily by gravity. These drains generally range from about one half to one inch in diameter and terminate at an aircraft drain mast for exhaustion to the atmosphere. Unfortunately, such sink systems are limited in their ability to dispose of more viscous liquid or solid waste products. Current sinks are also prone to blockage due to drainage of liquids that solidify when combined in the drain system.

Currently, disposal of most non-liquid wastes is accomplished through conventional vacuum systems for toilets and waste disposal units. While generally effective for disposing of solid, liquid and slurry food wastes, implementing one of the conventional vacuum toilet or waste disposal unit designs requires incorporation of a separate unit in addition to the sink. While these designs provide an alternate location for solid waste disposal, they do not eliminate the potential for clogged sink drain lines.

A problem with incorporating current galley sink designs into a vacuum waste system relates to noise. A loud flushing sound is created when the flush valve opens and the differential pressure across it forcefully draws the waste down the drain. To reduce the noise during drainage, a by-pass line can be installed to control the amount of airflow passing through the sink bowl. The bypass line reduces the noise but also reduces the amount of vacuum available help drain the sink.

The disadvantages associated with current aircraft sink systems have made it apparent that a new technique for removing waste from an airplane sink is needed. The new technique should minimize noise onboard the aircraft and allow system clogs to be flushed out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a sink system includes a sink and a storage area receiving and storing matter from the sink. The storage area receives air from the bypass line during a flush. Matter from the storage area and sink is vacuumed through a common line during the flush. A first valve limits an amount of air supplied by the bypass line such that increased suction is applied to the sink through the common line, and a first actuator operates the first valve.

In accordance with another embodiment. A method for operating a sink system coupled to a common waste disposal line with a second waste disposal system is included. The sink system has a storage area receiving matter from a sink, receiving air from a bypass line as regulated by a first valve, and expelling waste through the common line as regulated by a second valve. The method includes setting initial conditions of the first valve open and the second valve closed. The method further includes activating a vacuum blower generating a pressure differential across the second valve, thereby opening the second valve and emptying the matter from the storage area, whereby the second valve closes at an end of emptying the matter. An amount of air supplied by the bypass line is limited in the case of a clog in the system by closing the first valve, such that increased suction is applied to the sink through the common line activating the vacuum blower.

Current airplane galleys include sinks and galley waste disposal units as separate units. Combining the galley waste disposal function with the galley sink function through use of the previously discussed common line would save weight, cost and space in galley modules.

Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the description that follows and may be realized by the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the invention, there will now be described some embodiments thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an airplane system including a sink system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sink system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the sink system of FIG. 2 in operation.

FIG. 4 is schematic diagram of a sink system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is illustrated with respect to a sink system, particularly suited to the aerospace field. The present invention is, however, applicable to various other uses that may require sink systems, such as campers, railroad cars, buses, maritime vehicles, and other such vehicles, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. In each of the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components.

Referring to FIG. 1, an airplane system 10 including a sink system 12 is illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 further includes a toilet system 14 and a galley waste disposal system 16 disposing of matter (along with the sink system 12) through a common line 18. The common line 18 feeds into a tank assembly waste holding tank 20 and allows fluid and solid flow as a function of operation of a vacuum waste system 22.

The vacuum waste system 22 includes a controller 24 controlling a vacuum 26 which creates a pressure differential through vacuum lines 28. This vacuum waste system may include use of ambient pressure of the air outside of the aircraft or artificial source, such as a vacuum pump. Further, the sink system 12, the toilet system 14, and the galley waste disposal 16 receive water through rinse lines 30. Waste is expelled from the waste holding tank 20 via drain lines 32 through a service panel 34 on the exterior 36 of the aircraft system 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, schematic diagrams of the sink system 12 are illustrated. The sink system 12 includes a storage area 40 receiving fluid from a sink 42 and air from a bypass line 44. The flow into and out of the storage area 40 is controlled by a disposal valve 46 (first valve) and a drain valve 48 (second valve), which are controlled by, for example, a controller 50 receiving signals from a disposal switch 52. Matter drains from the storage area 40 through the common line 18.

The sink 42 drains by gravity into the storage area 40 which may be a tank or an appropriately sized line. Waste water is retained in the storage area 40 by a normally closed second drain valve 48. The drain valve 48 is controlled automatically by the amount of water in the storage area 40 as detected by the level sensor 58 and by the pressure switch 54. The pressure switch 54 detects a clog as a function of the pressure differential across the second valve 48. The pressure switch 54 is required for use in a galley sink to prevent backflow.

The bypass line 44 provides a secondary path for air to enter the storage area 40 during a flush to limit noise inside the airplane galley area. The disposal valve 46 shuts off or limits the bypass line 44 causing more air flow and suction to be applied to the sink drain 56 to clear galley wastes or sink blockages. The disposal valve 46 and drain valve 48 manually activate through operation of the disposal mode switch 52.

The controller 50 includes algorithms for controlling vacuum blower operation and automatic and manual controls of valves. Coupled to the controller 50 is the disposal mode switch 52, which provides an airplane attendant with a manual means for activating the drain valve 48 in case of failure of the controller 50 or the automatic drain system or sink system 12. The controller may also activate a drain mode automatically as a function of signals received from the pressure switch 54.

The storage area 40 is a typical waste holding tank receiving matter from the sink 42 through the drain 56 and dispelling matter through the vacuum waste system. The level of the contents of the storage area 40 may be determined by a level switch 58 operably coupled to the controller 50. The controller may use this level information for control of the sink system 12. The storage area 40 includes two inlets, one from the drain 56 and one from the bypass line 44, and further includes an outlet through the common line 18. The inlet from the bypass line 44 is controlled by the first valve 46, and the dispelling of the matter through the common line 18 is conducted through the second valve 48. The first valve 46 may be controlled by an actuator 60 (first actuator) receiving signals from the controller 50. The second valve 48 may also be controlled by an actuator 62 (second actuator) receiving signals from the controller 50.

In another embodiment, the first valve 46 may be controlled manually by a handle accessible to the user. A position sensor on the first valve sends a signal to the controller 50 to initiate the disposal mode.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation of a drain mode and disposal mode of the sink system 12 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. To begin with, sink water drains by gravity into the storage area 40 and is held until the level switch 58 activates the drain mode through, for example, the controller 50. The drain mode includes the first valve 46 open and the second valve 48 closed. The drain mode activates the vacuum blower creating a pressure differential through the common line 18, which is verified by the pressure switch 54. The second valve 48 is then opened to empty the water stored in the storage area 40. The second valve 48 closes at the end of this sequence. During drainage of the sink 42, air enters the storage area 40 through the bypass line 44 and the sink 42. Further, during this operation, no action is required by a cabin attendant or airline attendant.

Referring to FIG. 3, the sink system 12 in disposal mode is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In disposal mode, the cabin attendant presses the disposal mode switch 52, thereby activating the drain mode in the controller 50, which activates the vacuum blower. The pressure switch 54 verifies that the vacuum blower is pulling materials through the common line 18, thereby completing the drain mode. The controller 50 then opens the second valve 62 and closes the first valve 46, and at the end of the disposal mode, the first valve 46 opens and the second valve 48 closes.

During drainage in the disposal mode, air enters only through the sink 42 such that full vacuum system pressure will be applied to any blockages in all drain lines 56. The length of the disposal mode may be timed through a set length in the controller 50 or controlled by a press and hold switch such as the disposal mode switch 52.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of a sink system 70 within a galley unit system 72 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The galley unit system 72 includes the storage area 74 receiving materials from the sink 76 and receiving air from the bypass line through the air inlet 80. As in the previous embodiments, the system 70 is controlled by two valves 82, 84 controlling the air inlet and the drainage of the storage area 74.

In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, the storage area 74 may be sized to fit behind the galley carts 82 in the galley unit 72. Further, the drain valve or second valve 64 may be installed at the base of the storage area 74 and the outlet may be pumped to the vacuum waste system, as was discussed previously. Plumbing from the sink 76 may gravity drain into the storage area 74. The air inlet 80 to the bypass line 78 may be routed higher than the sink 76 and may also be routed to an overhead area 85 for minimizing noise in the cabin. The disposal valve or fist valve 62 may be either installed at the storage area 74 or remotely. The disposal mode switch 86 may be installed in the galley unit 72 near the sink 76.

Further, other galley drains, for example the sump pump drains, may be either connected to the system 70 either directly to the storage area 74 or upstream of the first valve 62 to maintain the effectiveness of the aforementioned disposal mode. Odors from the storage area 74 may be vented through the lavatory galley vent system 88, which may be connected to the bypass line 78.

Through the aforementioned embodiment, a cart 90 is pushed underneath the sink for optimizing storage space. Further, an advantage is that every sink has disposal capabilities.

In operation, the sink system disposal mode will clear blockages in galley plumbing. Operation of the disposal mode of the sink system 12 provides manual backup to the sink drain 92 if failure of the automatic sink system 70 occurs.

In other words, the method includes setting initial conditions of the first valve open and the second valve closed. The method further includes activating a vacuum blower generating a pressure differential across the second valve, thereby opening the second valve and emptying the matter from the storage area, whereby the second valve closes at an end of emptying the matter. An amount of air supplied by the bypass line is limited in the case of a clog in the system by closing the first valve, such that increased suction is applied to the sink through the common line activating the vacuum blower.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been brought to the art a new sink system. It is to be understood that the preceding description of one embodiment of the present invention is merely illustrative of some of the many specific embodiments that represent applications of the principals of the present invention. Numerous and other arrangements would be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. A sink system comprising: a sink; a storage area receiving matter from said sink and storing said matter; a bypass line supplying air to said storage area during a flush of said matter; a common line for vacuuming said matter from said sink through said storage area; a first valve limiting an amount of air supplied by said bypass line such that increased suction is applied to said sink through said common line when said first valve is operated; and a first actuator operating said first valve.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second valve restricting flow of said matter from said storage area when closed and draining said storage area when opened; and a second actuator controlling said second valve.
 3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a manual switch operating said second valve.
 4. The system of claim 2 further comprising a pressure switch activating said second actuator as a function of an amount of said matter in said storage area.
 5. The system of claim 2 further comprising a controller controlling said first valve, said second valve, and vacuuming of said matter from said sink through said storage area.
 6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a manual switch activating said second actuator.
 7. The system of claim 5 further comprising a level switch indicating said storage area is substantially full.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein said controller comprises sink mode logic comprising initial conditions of said first valve open and said second valve closed, said controller further activating a vacuum blower generating a pressure differential, thereby opening said second valve and emptying said matter from said storage area, whereby said second valve closes at an end of said emptying of said matter.
 9. The system of claim 5, wherein said controller comprises disposal mode logic, activated in response to a disposal mode switch, said disposal mode logic comprising activating a vacuum source, opening said second valve, closing said first valve, and resetting the system by opening said first valve and closing said second valve.
 10. The system of claim 5, wherein said controller comprises disposal mode logic activated in response to manually closing said first valve, said disposal mode logic comprising activating a vacuum source, opening said second valve, closing, and resetting the system by closing said second valve after said first valve is manually opened.
 11. The system of claim 5, wherein said controller comprises disposal mode logic activated in response to disposal mode switch after manually closing said first valve, said disposal mode logic comprising activating a vacuum source, opening said second valve, closing, and resetting the system by closing the second valve, and said first valve is manually opened.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein said bypass line further comprises an air inlet routed higher than said sink.
 13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a vent coupled to said bypass line for venting odors from said storage tank.
 14. A method for operating a sink system coupled to a common waste disposal line with a second waste disposal system, the sink system having a storage area receiving matter from a sink, receiving air from a bypass line as regulated by a first valve, and expelling waste through the common line as regulated by a second valve, the method comprising: setting initial conditions of the first valve open and the second valve closed; activating a vacuum source generating a pressure differential across the second valve, thereby opening the second valve and emptying the matter from the storage area, whereby the second valve closes at an end of emptying the matter; and limiting an amount of air supplied by the bypass line in the case of a clog in the system by closing the first valve such that increased suction is applied to the sink through the common line activating said vacuum source.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of limiting further comprises manually operating a switch controlling the first valve.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising detecting a clog through a pressure switch detecting a pressure differential across the second valve.
 17. An airplane system comprising: a sink; a storage area receiving matter from said sink and storing said matter; a bypass line supplying air to said storage area during a flush; a waste disposal unit; a toilet; a common line receiving matter from said storage area, said waste disposal unit, and said toilet; a vacuum unit vacuuming matter from said sink through said storage area, and further vacuuming matter from said waste disposal unit and said toilet; a first valve limiting an amount of air supplied by said bypass line such that increased suction is applied to said sink through said common line; a first actuator operating said first valve; and a controller controlling said vacuum unit, said controller further controlling said first actuator as a function of a clog between at least one of said sink and said storage area or between said storage area and said common line.
 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a second valve restricting flow of said matter from said storage area when closed and draining said storage area when opened; and a second actuator controlling said second valve.
 19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a manual switch operating said second actuator.
 20. The system of claim 18 further comprising a pressure switch activating said second actuator as a function of an amount of said matter in said storage area.
 21. The system of claim 17 further comprising a level switch indicating said storage area is substantially full.
 22. The system of claim 17, wherein said bypass line further comprises an air inlet routed higher than said sink.
 23. The system of claim 17, wherein said first valve is positioned above said sink and exposed only to air.
 24. The system of claim 17 further comprising a vent coupled to said bypass line for venting odors from said storage tank.
 25. The system of claim 17, wherein said storage area is sized to fit behind a galley cart in a galley unit. 